Bahía de Banderas: Heart of the Riviera Nayarit

Nayarit’s Star Destination

Bahía de Banderas is the municipality with the greatest tourism development in the state and the economic engine of the Riviera Nayarit. Within its territory you’ll find world-famous beaches, all-inclusive hotels, luxury resorts, bohemian towns and fishing communities with local flavor.

Key Facts

• Distance from Tepic: 154 km
• Inhabitants: ~187,000
• Ideal if you like: beach, gastronomy, surfing, nightlife, luxury

How to Get There

The Puerto Vallarta International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel zone. By road, the trip from Tepic takes between 3 and 4 hours, and from Guadalajara between 4 and 5 hours.

Destinations Within Bahía de Banderas

• Nuevo Vallarta — all-inclusive resorts, golf courses and marinas.
• Bucerías — art, open-air markets and everyday Mexican life.
• La Cruz de Huanacaxtle — a marina and a gourmet Sunday market.
• Punta Mita — exclusivity and high-end seafood cuisine.
• Sayulita — a Magical Town, surfing and international bohemia.
• San Francisco (San Pancho) — an artistic, laid-back town.
• Lo de Marcos — a family beach with a relaxed atmosphere.

Must-See Experiences

• Islas Marietas — the famous Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach) and a seabird sanctuary.
• Humpback whale watching (December–March).
• Surfing in Sayulita and Punta Mita.
• Snorkeling, sport fishing and sailing trips.
• Turtle releases in summer and fall.

Gastronomy

From fresh seafood in a palapa to international gourmet cuisine. Don’t miss the pescado zarandeado in Sayulita, the aguachile shrimp in Bucerías and the restaurants of Punta Mita.

Area map

1. 1
   Nuevo Vallarta (Nuevo Nayarit) Resort, marina and golf area by the Ameca River.20.70276, -105.28851 · Open in Google Maps
2. 2
   Bucerías Long-beach town on Banderas Bay.20.75559, -105.33435 · Open in Google Maps
3. 3
   La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Fishing and sailing village on Banderas Bay.20.7507, -105.3829 · Open in Google Maps
4. 4
   Punta de Mita (El Anclote) Corral del Risco village; boat departures and beginner surf.20.77287, -105.51793 · Open in Google Maps
5. 5
   Sayulita Surf Magical Town in Bahía de Banderas.20.8689, -105.4407 · Open in Google Maps
6. 6
   Hidden Beach (Isla Redonda, Islas Marietas) National park; authorized tours only.20.7013, -105.5682 · Open in Google Maps